Arsenal are reportedly stepping up their interest in Brentford striker Ivan Toney, with the Gunners set to launch a bid for the player in January.
The 27-year-old is halfway through his eight-month suspension for breaking Football Association betting rules, meaning that he is yet to feature for the Bees in the 2023-24 campaign.
Toney enjoyed his best-ever top-flight term last season, netting 20 Premier League goals in 33 appearances after making the net ripple on 12 occasions in 2021-22.
The one-time England international moved to West London from League One outfit Peterborough United in the summer of 2020, and has since scored 68 goals in just 124 appearances for the club.
According to The Mirror, Arsenal are ready to ramp up their efforts to secure the services of Toney, with Mikel Arteta's side hoping to sign the forward in January.
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The report adds that Brentford are looking to pocket at least £60m from the sale of the 27-year-old, with Thomas Frank's men not willing to allow the player to leave for any less.
It is understood that the Bees have accepted that they are likely to lose Toney before the start of the 2024-25 season, although the Bees will not be forced into selling one of their most-valuable assets for less than their asking price.
Arteta is currently operating with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah as his two first-team striking options at the Emirates Stadium, as the Gunners look to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title this season.
It is believed that the Arsenal boss wants another top-quality forward to share the offensive burden alongside Jesus and Nketiah, with Toney perceived as a player who fits that description.
The report claims that the Gunners' London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are also monitoring the Englishman's situation ahead of the January transfer window, as both sides are supposedly keen to add to their forward ranks.
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Ange Postecoglou's Spurs did not recruit a fully-fledged striker following the departure of all-time record scorer Harry Kane to Bayern Munich in the summer, although the likes of James Maddison and Son Heung-min have stepped up for the Lilywhites so far this term.
Chelsea have managed just five goals in their opening six Premier League matches, with summer arrivals Nicolas Jackson still finding their feet under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Despite Toney being admired by a number of clubs, it is understood that Arsenal are currently in pole position to sign the target man, who can return to competitive action in the New Year after serving the rest of his eight-month ban.
The Gunners will be looking to earn a spot in the fourth round of the EFL Cup on Wednesday night, when they travel across London to face Toney's Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Carter White
